Fewer Thyroid Cancer Diagnoses, More Deaths Predicted for 2017

ThyCa Urges Neck Checks, Provides Free Services, Materials in 9 Languages

While thyroid cancer has increased in incidence over recent decades, a decline in diagnoses to 56,870 is predicted for 2017, compared to 64,300 people diagnosed in 2016 in the United States, reports the nonprofit ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc. (“ThyCa”) based on information from the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Deaths from thyroid cancer are expected to total 2,010 in 2017, a 1.5% increase from 2016, more than the U.S. population increase. 

Thyroid cancer affects people of all ages, from young children to seniors. About half of people diagnosed are under age 50. About three-quarters are female. 

ThyCa urges everyone to learn about thyroid cancer and ask for a neck check at their routine medical appointments. Signs of a nodule can include voice changes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a bulge on the lower neck. 

“The most commonly diagnosed types of thyroid cancer, papillary and follicular, are usually treatable when found early. However, thyroid cancer is usually difficult to treat if it has spread widely or is one of the rare types such as medullary or anaplastic,” says ThyCa Executive Gary Bloom, a 21-year thyroid cancer survivor. “A neck check by a medical professional during a routine appointment takes only a few seconds. Most thyroid nodules are benign, not cancer.” 

ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals and is advised by 54 thyroid cancer experts. ThyCa provides free educational and awareness materials in 9 languages, videos with experts, support services, events, and a weekly newsletter to patients, professionals, and the public around the world. ThyCa sponsors Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month each September, and 2017 marks its 15th year of awarding thyroid cancer research grants, open to researchers worldwide. For information and free materials, e-mail to thyca@thyca.org, call toll-free 1-877-588-7904, write to PO Box 1102, Olney, MD 20830-1102, or visit our web site.

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